Means for rendering bottles nonrefillable



Nov. 2 4, 1936. l w. J. WARD ET AL 2,061,603 I MEANS Fon RENERING BOTTLES NONREFILLABLE 'l v Filed Nov, 10, 19,54' 2 sheets-Sheet@ Y Array/vifs Nov. 24, 1936.

w. J. WARD ET A| l MEANS FOR RENDERING BOTTLES NONREFILLABLE Filed4 Nov. 10, 1954 2 Shee's-.Sheet 2 IToR/vers Patented Nov.. 24, 1936 eine . "3 N will i Means Foa amarante Berries NoNnnriLLALE Walter il. Ward, Lakewood, Charles E. Banerle,

Cleveland, and Ferdinand H. Dalrymple, Bed- Appiication November' 10, 1934,' Serial No. 752,442

21 Claims.

Qur invention particularly relates to devices for preventing the refilling of bottles in which the number of separate parts is very small, consisting, in fact, of only three primary parts;

which may be economically manufactured and easily applied to the bottle; which are adaptable Without change to bottles having necks of varying internal diameters; and which do not interfere with the convenient removal of the original contents of the bottle.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying our invention, such means constituting, however, but a few of the various forms in which the principle of the invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical axial section through one form of our improved device for rendering bottles non-refillable, the View showing a fragmentary section of the top oi a bottle and a bottle cap, associated therewith, the View being upon a large scale in order clearly to identify certain small and closely adjacent parts;

Figure 2 is a transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 2-.2, Figure 1, the bottle cap not being shown;

Figure 3 is a transverse horizontal section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 3--3, Figure 1;

3 Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the bottle with its cap removed, and the several elements in pouring position;

Figure 5 is a vertical section of a bottle top, showing the applying thereto of our improved device for rendering bottles non-rellable, after the bottle has been initially filled, the refillingpreventing means being shown partially in section and partially in elevation;

Figure 6 is a partial section and partial elevation of a casing member forming part of our refillingreventing means;

Figure '7 is transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 1 1, Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partial section and a partial elevation of a tumbler piston forming part of our invention;

Figure 9 is a plan of the tumbler piston; Figure 10 is a side elevation of a deflector and stop element forming part oi our invention;

Figure 11 is a plan of the element shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a vertical section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 12-l2, Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a bottom view of the element shown in Figure 12;

(Cl. 215--2D Figure 14 is a View similar to Figure 1, but showing additional means for locking together the casing member and the deector and sto-p element;

Figure 15 is a View similar to Figure 1 but showing positive leak-preventing means between the bottle neck and the casing member of our improved refilling-preventing device;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view showing a modied form of casing member; and

Figure 17 is a View similar to Figure 1 but showing certain vent holes for assisting in removing the original contents of a bottle provided with our improved relli-ng-preventing means.

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are indicated by the same several numbers in the different views, we show a bottle i provided witha neck having exterior helical ribs 3 forming threads for the securing and seating of a cap i provided with sealing means such'as cork 5 and tinfoil For cooperation with the aforementioned elements which are standard and well-known, we provide means for preventing the refilling of the bottle after the removal therefrom of the original contents. To this end, we provide the bottle neck 2 with a top bead 1 which forms with the top of the neck 2 proper a narrow groove l Whose purpose will be hereinafter fully described.

We iit Within the neck 2 of the bottle l improved means for preventing the reilling of the bottle comprising an open-top cylindrical casing 8, spaced 'from the inner surface of the neck 2, a cylindrical tumbler piston ll in the bottom of the casing 8 and fitting loosely in the latter so as to permit the piston to move relatively to and within the casing 8 under the force of gravity, and a deector and stop element l2 tightly secured to and within the casing 8 and spaced from the top of the latter and also from the piston l l in the bottle-sealing position of the piston.

The casing 3 has a curved laterally-extended lip Si designed to encase the neck bead 1, and also a series of horizontally-spaced openings iii disposed adjacent the bottom of the casing. The deflector and stop element l2 comprises a cylindrical wall i3 which is tightly fitted Within the casing 8, this wall i3 having an inwardly-extended bottom flange i4 forming an opening i5, and an upwardly-extended inwardly-inclined neck i6 formed with a top plate il, thus providing openings i communicating with the opening l5 and also communicating with the space above the defiector and stop element l2.

The refilling-preventing means comprising the casing 3, the piston l l and the deflector and stop element l2, are assembled before the device is inserted in the bottle E, with the piston I l adjacent the bottom of the casing 8, and the wall i3 of the deiectcr and stop element l2 tightly engaging the inner surface of the casing 8, and the lip 9 bent so as to cover the neck bead l but not to engage the groove l. After the bottle l has been initially filled, the relling-preventing device is inserted in the neck 2, Figure 5, and, by the use of rollers or other suitable and well-known tools, the lip S is crimped or spun under the neck bead l and into the groove l to effect an engagement between the lip 5: and the bead l such as is shown in Figure l. We wish particularly to point out that the construction or our device and the methed of securing the same to the bottle permits application of the device to the bottle whatever may be the variations in the internal diameter of the bottle neck within usual tolerances for said internal diameters, inasmuch as such variations in internal diameters will vary only the width of the space 25 between the outside of the casing 8 and the inside of the neck 2, which variations in said space 25 do not adversely affect the efficient operation of our device.

Liquid can be poured from a lled bottle provided with our improved device by tilting'the bottle, as `shown in Figure 4, where, it will be noted, the piston il has moved outwardly, under the force of gravity, and is rested against the bottom of the stop element l2, thus uncovering the openings E@ which provide communication between the interior of the bottle and the interior of the S, so that liquid can travel from the bottle through the openings l) and the piston il and element l2, thence through the openings i8 and outwardly through the neck E. Replacement of air in the bottle takes the path of travel indicated by the upper series of arrows, Figure 4. Jl-lowever, the bottle cannot be conveniently filled with any material content, when in the position shown Figure 4, er in any tilted position and, when the bottle is upright, or in any position in which the piston Il slides to the bottom of the casing 8, the wall of the piston il covers the openings lil and prevents ingress of liquid to the interior of the bottle.

Our device cannot in any practicable way be removed from the bottle neck, without impairing the bottle so that it is unt for further use, inasmuch as the lip 9 is very securely spun into the groove "i, and the wall i3 so securely engages the casing 8 as to prevent the removal of the element l 2 without the use of such tools as would defeat the purpose by impairing the bottle neck 2. The tcp plate El forms a baille for the nonspilling and non-surging discharge of the bottle contents, as shown in Figure 4, and also so effectively covers the opening l5 as to prevent any practicable method of tampering with the piston i? with tools or appliances attempted to be inserted through the opening l5.

.Tn Figure lll, we show additional means for preventing the removal of the element E2 from the casing 8 consisting of an inwardly-extended bead i9 formed in the wall of the casing 8 adjacently above the top of the wall i3 of the element I2.

In Figure 15 we show a gasket seal 2G made of cork or any other suitable sealing material, and interposed between the neck bead l and the lip S. for preventing any possible leakage or the bottle contents through the space 25 and outwardly between the bead 'l and the lip 9.

In Figure 16 we show a form of casing member 2E having a downwardly-extended inclined bottom 22 formed with a small central hole 23, for the purpose of providing drainage back into the bottle of any liquid contents which may be Atrapped in the bottom of the casing 2i when the bottle is uprighted after having had some of its contents poured therefrom.

Figure 17 we show minute vent holes 24 in the casing S and communicating with the space adjacent the top of the element i2, for the purpose of insuring additional means for the entrance of air into the bottle i when some of the contents thereof is being removed in the manner shown in Figure e.

What we claim is:

l.. Non-rellable bottle means comprising a structure which is assembled as a unit prior to attachment to a bottle and which includes a shell having an end opening and a wall port, said shell being adapted to t in the neck of a bottle and having means for attachment to the bottle irrespective oi the configuration of the inner surface of the bottle neck, a valve element movable within the shell to cover and uncover said port, and a chambered baffle and valve-stop member secured to and within the shell, having its chamber open to communication with the ported portion of the shell, and having an outer tampering-obstructive head portion spaced from the shell wall to provide communication between the chamber of said member and said end opening.

2. Non-refillable bottle means comprising a cylindrical shell open at one end and formed with a curved outwardly-extended lip at said end and with wall ports adjacent its other end, said lip of itsel being adapted to secure the non-rellable means to a bottle, a tubular cylindrical open-ended piston movable within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said ports in diierent respective piston positions, and a baffle and pistonstop member secured to and within the shell, said member comprising a cylindrical wall engaging the shell wall and terminating in an inwardly extending annular ange at one end, a slotted neck portion projecting from said cylindrical wall at the end thereof opposite said flange, and a circular transverse head portion mounted on said neck portion and spaced from said shell.

3. The combination with a bottle having open-ended neck and a peripheral bead bounding the neck opening; of a cylindrical shell located in said neck and having an open end formed with an outwardly-extended lip secured to said bead, said shell having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to provide an annular space between the shell and bottle neck, said shell being formed with an opening communicating with the bottle interior, a movable valve element disposed within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said shell opening in dif-- ferent respective positions of said valve element, and a tampering-obstructive member secured to and within the shell betweensaid valve element and the open end of the shell and having a liquid passage therethrough.

4.'. The combination with a bottle havingr an open-ended neck and a peripheral outwardlycurved bead bounding the neck opening; of cylindrical shell located in said neck and having an open end formed with an outwardly-extended lip encircling said bead and secured at its edge thereto, said shell having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to provide an annular space between the shell and bottle neck, said shell being formed with ports adjacent its opposite end, a movable piston having an opening therethrough and disposed within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said shell ports in different respective piston positions, and a tampering-obstructive member secured to and within the shell between said piston and the open end of the shell and having a liquid passage therethrough.

5. Unitary non-rellable bottle means comprising a shell having an end opening and a wall port, said shell being adapted to flt in the neck of a bottle and to be secured to a bottle having a smooth interior neck surface, a valve element movable by gravity within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said port in different respective positions of the valve element, yand a chambered bale member having a close t within the shell, having its chamber open to communii cation with the ported portion of the shell and with said end opening, said shell being formed with an inwardly-extending bead adjacently above the body portion of said bafiie member.

6. Unitary non-reiillable bottle means comprising a shell having an end opening and a wall port, said shell being adapted to fit in the neck of a bottle and having means for securing the nonrellable means to the exterior surface of the bottle neck, a piston having an opening therethrough and movable by gravity within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said port in diiferent respective piston positions, and a baiiie member secured to and within the shell, having its chamber open to communication with the interior of the piston, and having an outer tampering-obstructive head portion spaced from the shell wall to provide communication between the chamber of the member and said end opening, said shell being formed with an inwardly-extending bead adjacently above the body portion of said ballie member.

7. Unitary non-rellable bottle means comprising a shell having a top opening, an inclined bottom wall formed with a drainage port, and a wall port adjacently above said bottom wall, a piston having an opening therethrough and movable within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said port in different respective piston positions, said drainage port being open in all piston posi- :n tions, and a chambered baffle and piston-stop member secured to and within the shell, having its chamber open to communication with the interior of the piston, and having an outer tampering-obstructive head portion spaced from the shell wall to provide communication between the chamber of the member and said end opening.

8. The combination with a bottle having an open-ended neck and a peripheral bead bounding the neck opening; of a cylindrical shell located in said neck and having an open end formed with an outwardly-extended lip secured to said bead, said shell having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to provide an annular space between the shell and bottle neck, said shell being formed with an opening communicating with the bottle interior, a movable valve element disposed within the shell and adapted tocover and uncover said shell opening in different respective positions of said valve element, and a tampering-obstructive member secured to and within the shell between said valve element and the open end of the shell and having a liquid passage therethrough, said shell being formed with vent holes communicating with said annular space adjacently above said member.

9. The combination with a bottle having an open-ended neck, and a cap for said bottle neck; of non-rellable bottle means assembled as a unit prior to attachment to the bottle and comprising a shell secured to and within said neck and having an end opening and a wall port, said shell having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to provide a space between the shell and bottle neck, a valve element movable within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said shell port in diiferent respective positions of valve eiement, and a chambered baffle and vive-stop member secured to and within the shell, having its chamber open to communication with the ported portion of the shell, and having an outer tampering-obstructive head portion spaced from the shell wall to provide communication between the chamber of the member and said end opening.

i0. The combination with a bottle having an open-ended neck and a peripheral outwardlycurved bead bounding the neck opening; of a cylindrical shell located in said neck and having an open end formed with an outwardly-extended lip encircling said bead and secured at its edge thereto, a gasket seal between said lip and bead, said shell having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottle neck to provide an annular space between the shell and bottle neck, said shell being formed with a port adjacent its opposite end, a movable valve element disposed within the shell and adaptedY to cover and uncover said shell port in dierent respective positions of the valve element, and a tamperingobstructive member secured to and within the shell between said valve element and the open end of the shell and having a liquid passage therethrough.

11. The combination with a bottle neck formed with an external bead and having external capengaging means below the bead, the external surface of the neck between the bead and the capengaging means forming a constricted recess, of a device for preventing relling of the bottle, said device comprising a shell having a ported portion which extends into the bottle and having an open end provided with a peripheral lip which surrounds the bead and which is crimped in the recess and also comprising a valve element adapted to close a port of said ported portion of r the shell when the bottle is in filling position and to open said port when the bottle is tilted to pouring position.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 and a liquid-tight sealing member between the peripheral lip of the shell and the bead of the bottle neck.

13. The combination set forth in claim 11, in which the transverse dimensions of the shell ported portion are smaller than the corresponding inner transverse dimensions of the bottle neck.

14. The combination set forth in claim 11, in which the shell ported portion is cylindrical and has an external smooth surface.

15. The combination set forth in claim 11 and a cap adapted to be secured to the bottle and to close the open end of the shell when the cap is engaged by the cap-engaging means on the bottle neck.

16. The combination set forth in claim l1, in which the cap-engaging means includes screw threads formed on the external surface of the bottle neck.

1'7. The combination set forth in claim 11, in which means for obstructing tampering with the valve element are mounted within the shell between the port and the open end of the shell.

18. The combination set forth in claim 11, in which means for obstructing tampering with the valve element are mounted within the shell above the port and in Which the shell is provided with means for positively locking the tampering-obstructive means against removal.

19. The combination set forth in claim 11, in which the shell ported portion is smaller in transverse dimensions than the inner surface of the bottle neck so that an annular space is provided Y about the shell ported portion and in Which the shell is formed with minute vent holes between the annular space and the open end of the neck.

20. The combination With a bottle having an cpen-ended neck, a peripheral bead bounding the neck opening and a threaded cap receiving portion below the bead; of a cylindrical shell located in said neck and having an open end formed with an outwardly-extended lip secured to said bead, said shell being formed with an opening communicating with the bottle interior, a movable valve element disposed within the shell and adapted to cover and uncover said shell opening in different respective positions of said valve element, and a tampering obstructive member secured to and within the shell between said valve element and the open end of the shell, the said lip forming the sole connection between the shell and the bottle.

21. A non-re-fillable bottle structure comprising a bottle having an open mouth, an outwardly eX- tending bead surrounding the mouth and a threaded cap receiving portion below the bead, said portion and bead being so constructed as to form therebetween a lip receiving groove in the bottle neck, a valve casing mounted in said neck and having an outwardly, downwardly and inwardly spun lip portion at its upper end which intimately engages said bead thereby rmly supporting the valve casing and effectively preventing fraudulent tampering therewith, a gravity actuated valve means in said casing, and means comprising a guard mounted between the open mouth and the Valve to prevent tampering with the latter.

WALTER J. WARD.

CHARLES E. BAUERLE.

FERDINAND H. DALRYMPLE. 

